Indian Illegal Immigrants in the US: Third Largest Group After Mexico and El Salvador

Indians Rank Third Among Illegal Migrants in the US, According to Pew Study
Indian Illegal Immigrants in the US: Third Largest Group After Mexico and El Salvador

The issue of illegal immigration continues to be a pressing concern in the United States, and recent findings have placed Indian illegal immigrants in the spotlight. According to an analysis by the Pew Research Center for the 2019-2022 period, Indian illegal immigrants ranked third in the US, following Mexico and El Salvador. This revelation has gained urgency as the US government, led by Donald Trump, implements the largest mass deportation operation in history, fulfilling a key campaign promise.

The Pew Research Findings on Indian Illegal Immigrants in the US

The Pew report highlights a significant rise in illegal immigrants originating from various countries, including India, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, and Ecuador, during the analyzed period. While Mexico leads with nearly 4 million illegal immigrants, El Salvador ranks second with 750,000, and India follows closely with 725,000.

Alarmingly, in 2023 alone, nearly 90,000 Indians were apprehended at the US border while attempting to enter the country illegally, as reported by The New York Times, citing official US government data. This growing trend has placed Indian illegal immigrants under increased scrutiny amid ongoing deportation efforts.

Mass Deportations Under Donald Trump’s Executive Order

On January 22, Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting illegal immigration at the southern border. The order explicitly suspends the physical entry of individuals deemed to be engaging in an “invasion” through unlawful crossings.

In his statement, Trump emphasized the detrimental effects of illegal immigration, stating:

“Illegal immigration affects the lives of all Americans. It hurts American workers, burdens taxpayers, undermines public safety, and strains essential resources like schools, hospitals, and community services.”

Trump reiterated that illegal immigration costs the US billions of dollars annually and vowed to take every lawful action to address the crisis.

India’s Role in Tackling Illegal Immigration

The Indian government has expressed a cooperative stance on addressing the issue. According to Bloomberg, nearly 18,000 Indian illegal immigrants have been identified for deportation, although the actual number could be significantly higher due to undocumented cases.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed its commitment to taking back Indian nationals provided their identity is verified. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated:

“For Indians not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world, if they are Indian nationals and they are overstaying or residing without proper documentation, we will take them back, provided their nationality is verified.”

The MEA has also underscored its stance against illegal immigration, citing its links to organized crime and other unlawful activities.

What Lies Ahead for Illegal Immigrants in the US?

With both nations working in tandem, the deportation process has begun, but challenges remain in identifying and processing undocumented individuals. For many Indian illegal immigrants, the road ahead may involve navigating the complexities of legal systems, while families and communities grapple with uncertainty.

Also Read:Indian Students in US Give up Part-Time Jobs Amid Trump Immigration Crackdown

Indian Illegal ImmigrantsIndians in USTrump AdministrationUS Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants
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